Teaching Healthy Eating to Elementary School Students: A Scoping Review of Nutrition Education Resources

Abstract

Resources were less likely to embed cross-curricular and experiential learning approaches, as well as contingent reinforcement approaches, despite recent research suggesting that the most effective evidence-based strategies for improving healthy eating in elementary school children are cross-curricular and experiential learning approaches.

Nutrition education in the Australian New South Wales primary school curriculum: An exploration of time allocation, translation and attitudes in a sample of teachers

“…It is therefore important that any future initiative or intervention to address nutrition education in primary schools respects the substantial time constraints teachers already experience. One possible approach is to use a cross‐curricular approach . A review of teaching approaches and strategies in primary schools to promote healthy eating concluded that taking a cross‐curricular approach was one of the most effective methods .…”

“…The NESA does list some reference materials, the most recent book was published in 1997 and the websites are generic information websites such as the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating website, which would not help the teacher develop an interactive and cross‐curricular lesson plan. While there are more helpful website/initiatives available to the teachers, they are not always subject to quality control or linked to syllabus outcomes. In addition, they are not centrally located and not easily accessible for teachers.…”

“…In the current survey, 60% of teachers indicated providing nutrition information to parents, of whom 50% did so at least once a month via newsletter. However, a scoping review by Peralta, Dudley and Cotton on nutrition education resources found that only three out of nine included Australian studies engaged parents in nutrition classes. Furthermore, it is concluded in that review that merely providing information to the parents (ie, via a newsletter) is not likely to be sufficient.…”

Insight of Dietary Fibers Consumption and Obesity Prevention

“…Most of the illnesses recognized by the subjects interviewed from US or Europe, with a link to diet rich in fibres [7,12], were obesity, breast cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or vitamins and mineral deficiencies, probably in relationship with the main sources of fibres (fruits and vegetables, and less wholegrain, pulses and nuts). The connection of DF intake with the level of LDL cholesterol, constipation, obesity and bowel cancer and was less known [12,13].…”

“…Usually, women agreed significantly more frequent than men the statement that eating DF in appropriate amounts can prevent and/or treat diseases, also separately related to specific diseases, women also agree significantly more frequent that fibres can prevent and/or treat obesity, breast or bowel cancer, cardio-vascular diseases, cholesterol, constipation, or diabetes [12][13][14].…”